Trump Switches Party, Becomes Independent

Donald Trump, who has continued to dabble in the possibility of an independent campaign for the presidency, has switched his voter registration to "Independent" in the state of New York, Politico reports, citing sources.

The move was made Thursday, according to the website. However, it's unclear if Trump will be able to vote as an Independent next year or whether he will be allowed to vote in the GOP primaries. According to Politico:

"The move was made yesterday, and will make Trump a registered 'blank' -- used interchangeably with 'registered independent' in New York political parlance - but not right away.

"Board of Elections spokeswoman Valerie Vazquez confirmed ... that the cutoff for the filing to take effect for next year was Oct. 14."

Trump most recently was registered as a Republican, but was not always a GOP voter.

Trump has said he would be open to running for president as an Independent if no viable GOP candidate emerges.

Earlier this week, he told Fox News' Greta Van Susteren that he believed a third-party candidate would not guarantee a second term for President Obama.

"I think if it's the right person, very high-profile, somebody respected, somebody that built perhaps a great, great business, which I have, in my case, I really think that a third-party candidate could win," Trump said. "I think the Republicans would not win. I will say this. I think the Republicans would not win. I think the third-party candidate could win. I think in my case, I [could] take a lot of votes from Obama, a lot of votes from Obama."

Michael Cohen, Trump's special counsel, said the real-estate mogul made the move "in order to preserve his right to run as an independent if he is [not pleased] with the GOP nominee."